Circular Tweezers
Probably 1000–1400
Medium
Gold
Dimensions
H.: 4.6 cm (1 13/16 in.)
Classification
metal
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
126506
Art Historical Context
**Circular Tweezers** *Chimú, probably 1000–1400, gold, H.: 4.6 cm (1 13/16 in.)* *Arts of the Americas, Art of Chicago* Step into the world of the Chimú, a thriving pre-Columbian culture Peru's north coast during Late Intermediate Period (circa 1000–1400 CE). This pair of delicate **Circular Tweezers**, crafted from pure gold, exemplifies their extraordinary metalworking prowess. At just 4.6 cm tall, the small scale belies its cultural weight—gold was a divine metal linked to the sun and elite status, reserved for objects of beauty and utility. The Chimú were master artisans, producing ...
About the Artist
Chimú
The Chimú, a preeminent pre-Columbian culture of Peru's northern coast, flourished from approximately 900 to 1470 CE as the Kingdom of Chimor, emerging in the wake of the Moche civilization's decline and incorporating influences from the Sican, Wari, and Cajamarca cultures. Centered in the vast adobe metropolis of Chan Chan—the largest city in the Americas before the Inca, housing up to 60,000 peo...